FOX, Mike - shot-killed - Putnam

From Denver newspapers the following account of the killing of Mike Fox by TD Furney both former residents of this county is copied. The stories printed in the several newspapers vary considerably in minor details but agree as to the chief points of the tragedy: M.J. Fox, better known as “Mike” Fox was shot in the head last night at 7 o’clock by TD Furney in the yard of No. 1942 Blake Street. Fox was removed to the county hospital where he died at 10 o’clock. The pistol used was a .32 calibre. The ball entered just above the right eye and passed through the rim of a stiff hat.  Mr. Furney alleges that at the time Fox was trying to stab him with a long, ugly-looking double-edged dagger. From all that can be learned Mr. Furney was acting in defense of his wife’s honor and in defense of his own life. Fox is assistant book keeper for TW Terry & Co Coal and Wood dealers who have an office at No. 1431 19th Street. Mr. Furney was a member of the firm and had charge of the wood department. He had the wood store din the yard where the killing took place. Mr. Furney lived in the rear of the house at No. 1942 Blake Street. The front rooms are occupied by a colored woman, Clara Rogers who saw the tragedy and heard the conversation which led up to it.  Mr. Furney until about 7 months ago was running a sawmill in connection with his brother, at South Platte.  He came to Denver to manage the wood end of the business. Until June 26 last Fox was bookkeeper for Furney & Brother at South Platte.  Later he came to Denver and was given the position with Terry & Co through Mr. Furney’s efforts. Mr. Furney because rents were so high in Denver thought best that his wife remain with his brother in North Platte to save expenses. He and Fox have been batching in the two little rear rooms. About one week ago Mrs. Furney came to Denver and … and a boy 2 years old and a girl of 5 to visit their father. The happy little family lived together in the two rooms in the rear of No. 1942 Blake Street. Fox continued to take his meals there but roomed uptown. Mike Fox had been drinking for a week before the tragedy occurred and was intoxicated yesterday when he went to Mr. Furney’s house for his supper about 4 o’clock.  Mr. Furney had heard of Fox making threats against his life and refrained from going home in the afternoon for fear of an encounter. Clara Rogers who lives in the front rooms of the house overhead a conversation between Mrs. Furney and Mr. Fox that was alone sufficient justification for Furney, although the latter knew nothing of it until after he fired the shot. It seemed that Fox without any inducements from the lady commenced to tell her of his love. “I love you and you  must kiss me.” Mike, what is the matter with you? I have been married 8 years and have never kissed anyone but my husband and shall not kiss you.  “I hate your husband and either he or I die tonight,” said Fox.  Clara Rogers heard Fox throw Mrs. Furney on the bank in the room and heard her exclaim, “Do not choke me.”  She also heard Fox threaten to kill her saying, “I love you and if you don’t love me, I will kill you.”  She then heard Fox leave the house and going outside shortly afterward saw the row and the homicide that followed. It seems Mr. Furney tired and cold determined about 7 o’clock to go home instead of wandering about the streets and disregarded the danger of a fight with Fox.  He came into the woodyard from the alley and as he was seen approaching the house, Fox sprang at him with a dagger in his hand. He threw his arms around Mr. Forney’s neck and waving the keen double-edge dagger in the air exclaimed, “You or I must die tonight.”  Furney thre him off and rushed into the house for his revolver. Returning to the yard, Fox rushed at him again when the ball from the revolver was sent through his brain. As Fox fell to the ground he tried to throw the knife away and it was found in a woodpile a few feet to the right. Furney at once sent for a policemen and officer Cornell responding surrendered himself and gave up his revolver. Fox has always carried a knife and never was without it. As a general thing it was carried in his hip pocket but when he had his coat off it was carried in his inside vest pocket. Furney says he was not in the habit of carrying a revolver. Mrs. Furney who was so grossly insulted by Fox was interviewed by a reporter for the Sun.  She is a handsome little woman, who has supreme faith in her husband.  I married my husband 8 years ago in Rincon, NM my maiden name was Elvira Roberts. He was keeping a saloon at Rincon but after we were married he came to Denver. He was barkeeper in a saloon on Larimer street for awhile but not liking the business started a sawmill at South Platte. “To save expense, I lived with his brother at South Platte.  About a week ago I came to Denver to visit my husband. Fox has been boarding with us. He has been intoxicated for some time. Tonight he came home about 4 o’clock to have his supper. My husband was not at home. Fox made an insulting proposition to me and demanded a kiss. I replied that I had been married 8 years and had never kissed any man but my husband. Mike said, “I intend to kill your husband. Either he or I die tonight. I love you and I intend to kill you, too.” My husband did not come home from fear I suppose of meeting Fox. After staying in the house some time Fox went out. Pretty soon I heard Fox say … you one of us must die tonight.  “Hold on, Mike; let me reason with you,” I heard my husband say.  My husband then rushed into the room and picked up his revolver which was under his pillow. Following him to the door, I saw Fox running toward him with a big knife when the shot was fired. “Fox always carried a knife, and frequently threatened to use it. Once at South Platte he threatened to kill Furney’s cousin, Alexander Rudliff. He shook his knife in Rudliff’s face and threatened to kill him and would have done so if I had not called him.  “Another time he threatened to kill Furney’s niece, Lolo Furney. She is a pretty girl, 17 years old and because she would have nothing to do with him he threatened to kill her.  Fox has not died yet, said the reporter.  I hope he will; if he lives I shall always be afraid he will kill either my husband or me said the little woman. Furney admitted the killing of Fox. “I was coming home about 7 o’clock and was obut 10’ from the house when Fox jumped at me. He threw his arms around my neck and waved a big knife in the air; I threw him off and drawing my revolver, shot him.  Sever night before I had trouble with him; he objected to the Ryan girls, Annie and Birdy visiting the house and said if I did not tell them to keep away he would. Furney refused to talk in regard to Fox’s alleged insults to his wife; he hopes to be acquitted on the charge of murder and claims he shot Fox in self-defense.  There is a bit more to the article but a huge piece of it is gone – deceased came to Coorado from … Indiana; up to three weeks ago a regular assistant bookkeeper with Terry & Co. During that time he has been drinking heavily … work regularly.  He was a …. About 31 years of age.  Forney has been in Denver about four years and has always borne a good reputation for sobriety and …

Source: Greencastle Star Press, 9 April 1892 p 4

The deceased, MF Fox, departed this life March 20, 1892, at 10 o’clock p.m., aged 32 years 2 months 10 days. The deceased remained at home with his mother near Reelsville until he became a man when he went west. Remaining there several years he came back home. While at home he began the study of telegraphy; becoming discouraged, he again went west; first to Council Grove where he expected to get employment; failing to find work there he went further west. He received word from Mr. Furney, Denver Colorado who offered him a position as bookkeeper which he accepted. After working about one month Mr. Fox became involve din a quarrel with his employer who shot him. The remains were brought back to his old home for burial.  His relatives with a number of sympathizing friends mourn his loss. He was a boy who was kind hearted, brave and true, and who was very affectionate towards his mother. He is gone but not forgotten … a friend.